Azerbaijan expects to become SCO observer - Foreign Ministry

BAKU. July 4 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan expects to receive observer status with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said.

"Given Azerbaijan's important role in the integration processes in our region and beyond, as well as its close participation in the SCO's work, we are confident that the meetings and events [as part of the SCO summit in Astana] will give additional impetus to the process of granting observer status with the organization," Hajizada said.

Azerbaijan is the SCO's dialogue partner today.

Belarus became a full-fledged member of the SCO on Thursday. The organization also includes India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.

The SCO summit is taking place on June 3-4 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The SCO Council of Heads of State is meeting on Thursday.